The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1887-01-13

! we nave let economy take root an
spread among us as rank as the era
grass which sprung from Sherman
cavalry camps, until we are ready t
lay odds on the Georgia yankee as h
manufactures relics of the battle hel,
in one-story shanty aid squeeze
pure oil out of his cotton seed, agains
any down-easter that ever swappet
wooden nutmegs for flannel sausage
in the valleys of Vermont. Loud ane
continuous laughter.] Above all, VT
know that we haved achieved in thes.
"piping times of peace" fuller inde
pendence for the South than tha
which our fathers sought to win in the
forum by their eloquence or compe
on the field by their swords. [Loud
applause.
1t is rare privilege, sir, to have
had part, however humble, in this
work. Never was nobler duty con-
fided to human hands than the uplift.
ing and upbuilding of the PROSTATE,
and bleeding South, misguided, per
haps, but beautiful in her suffering,
and honest, brave and generous always.
[Applause.] In the record of her
social, industrial and political illustra-
ton we await with confidence the
verdict of the world.
THE NEGRO QUESTION.
On the subject of the negro Mr..
Grady spoke briefly but to the point.
He showed that the South had kept
faith with the negro in the fullest, and
his denunciation as calumnious all
assertions to the contrary, was received
with the heartiest applause:
But what of the negro2 Have we
solved the problem he presents or
progressed in honor and equity
towards the solution? Let the record
speak to the point. No section shows
a more prosperous laboring population
than the negroes of the South; none
in fuller sympathy with the employing
and land-owning class. He shares
our school fund, has the fullest protec-
ton of our laws and the friendship of
our people. Self-interest, as we'll as
honor, demand that he should have
this. Our future, our very existence
depend upon our working out this
problem in full and exact justice. We
understand that when Lincoln signed
the emancipation proclamation, your
victory was assured; for he then COM
mtted you to the cause of human
liberty, against which the arms of man
cannot prevail-[ Applause ]-while
those of our statesmen who tried to
make slavery the cornerstone of the
confederacy doomed us to defeat as
far as they could, committing us to a
cause that reason could not defend or
the sword maintain in the sight Of
advancing civilization. [Renewed ap-
plause.] Had Mr.. Toombs said, which
he did not say, that he would call the
roll of his slaves at the foot of Bunker
Hill, he would have been foolish, for
he might have known that whenever
slavery became entangled in war it
must perish, and that the Chattle in
human flesh ended forever in New
England when your fathers mot to be
blamed for parting with what didn't
pay-sold their slaves to our fathers
not to be praised for knowing paying
thing when they saw it. Laughter.
The relations of the Southern people
with the negro are close and cordial.
We remember with what fidelity for
four years ne guarded our defenceless
women and children, whose husbands
and fathers were fighting against his
freedom. To his eternal credit be it
said that whenever he struck a blow
for his own liberty he fought in open
battle, and when at last he raised his
black and humble hands that the
shackles might be struck off, those
hands were innocent of wrong against
his helpless charges, and worthy to be
taken in loving grasp by every man
who honors loyalty and devotion. lAp-
plause.] Rufhans have maltreated him
rascals have misled him, philanthropists
established a bank for him, but the
South, with the North, protests against
injustice to his simple and sincere peo-
pie. To liberty and enfronchisement
is as far as law can carry the negro
The rest must be left to conscience and
common sense. 1t should be left ,e
those among whom his lot is cast. witt
whom he is indissolubly connected anC
whose prosperity depends upon theil
possessing his intelligent sympathy anc
confidence. Faith has been kept with
him in spite of calumnious assertion:
to the contrary by those who assume tt
speak for us or by frank opponents
Faith will be kept with him in th'
future, if the South holds her reason
and integrity. [Applause.]
THE SOUTH HAS KEPT FAITH.
Icannot hope to report the charm
ing run of humorous illusions and An
ecdotes with which Mr.. Grady KEEP
bis audience laughing when they wer
not cheering. So l proceed to hi
| peroration, which was elegant ant
effective, and which is pretty accurate
ly reported as follows. The speake
said
/ But have we kept faith with you9 ]
the f,,llect cameo vec When / ee S,rrrer